Most people say there may be an economic recovery, but there isn't an economic recovery for me, my family, my community, Mr Balls tells his audience.

The prime minister promised he would balance the books by 2015 and would improve living standards - on both of these he has failed, Ed Balls says.

Ed Balls is on his feet. He says this election will be key to the future direction of our country - will we be in or out of Europe, can we stop the current and continuing rise in our national debt, can we secure a recovery for all?

Coming up shortly, shadow chancellor Ed Balls on the economy. We'll bring you snippets, but here's our full story too.

Image source, PAcemaker

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader James Molyneaux has died aged 94. He joined the party in 1946 and went on to become one of its longest-serving leaders from 1979 to 1995. More from our colleagues in Northern Ireland.

tweets:, external Latest Populus VI: Lab 33 (=), Con 32 (+1), LD 9 (+1), UKIP 15 (-1), Greens 6 (+1), Others 6 (=). Tables here., external

tweets:, external A Better Plan. A Longer Term Plan. A More Economic Economic Plan. A Better Planned Plan. A Longer Term Long Economi

Image source, Michael Deacon

Sky News

Image source, AFP

Isabel Hardman, from the Spectator, says focusing on the economy is a risky strategy for Labour, but Eds Miliband and Balls think the Autumn Statement gave them a little foothold in the debate because voters weren't 100% convinced about George Osborne's plans. Nevertheless, Archie Bland, from the Guardian, says Labour would be better off sticking to the NHS because that's where voters trust them more.

The Lib Dems say the public have them to thank for ensuring free schools "were only set up where there was a genuine need for places". "We blocked Tory plans to introduce profit-making in schools, and we stopped Michael Gove's plans to cut the schools budget in 2010," they say in a statement. It adds: "A majority Tory government is the biggest threat to our schools and public services."

tweets:, external I'm bored of people being bored with the election. Elections are fantastic. And this one will be one of the best.

We might be getting used to hearing good news on growth - statistically speaking at least - coming out of Westminster, but according to research by Ulster Bank, Northern Ireland's private sector saw a fall in economic output for the third month in a row during February. The retail sector, in particular, showed signs of being under pressure - something the bank put down to the continuing strength of sterling against the euro hitting cross-border shopping.

A light-hearted take from The Daily Mash, external on one of the key political lines being voiced by politicians of all stripes during this campaign. "Voters have demanded clarification after being told that whoever they vote for they are actually voting for someone else," it jokes.

tweets:, external In a world with infinite money [we] can have a debate about free schools driving up standards in surplus place areas - we do not live in that world

The government's strategy for stopping violent extremism, known as "Prevent", has been labelled as "toxic" by a former senior Muslim police officer. Dal Babu, who retired as a Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police in 2013 said some of the officers involved in the programme lacked basic knowledge of race and faith issues. Listen to his full interview on the Today programme.

BBC website readers have been emailing us with their comments on free schools. Here's a selection:

"My daughter did attend a free school but the school has now been shut down. I am frankly insulted that there is now talk of introducing more schools when they weren't prepared to save our daughter's school despite trying to do everything the government ministers asked of them."

Dave Lewarne, Durham

"I am sure that free schools will in general raise standards in an area, by increasing competition. The question is, for how long? Once the enthusiasm that was there to set them up has become the norm will the improvement continue or will it reach a plateau and perhaps slowly decline in performance."

John Sommer, Bath:

"We have had two free primary schools open up in Chester since my eldest started school four years ago. One of them has an amazing building and I hear rave reviews from friends who have children that attend. The other seems to lurch from problem to problem. I think to lump them in one camp or another is far too general. I think more work needs to be done to evaluate some of the academy groups opening these schools."

Rachel, Chester

"With the myriad of these new 'free' schools, are we not making society more divisive, surely it is better that our children inter-react with as many different racial and religious etc groups as possible?"

John Carnie, Worcester

The Daily Mail

The Daily Mail reports that Labour MP David Hamilton, external has been "given a dressing down" by his party after he referred to First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon as "the wee lass with the tin helmet on". Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale later said "he was pulled up about it at the women's reception" following the remarks in his speech to Scottish Labour's spring conference.

tweets:, external Election Campaign so far, digested: 'vote SNP/Lab/UKIP, get Tory/SNP/Lab.' Something something Debates something something Plan.

tweets:, external Project Fear worked in #indyref short term but SNP soared since. Lesson for 'fear, not hope' Lab-Con tactics ahead of #GE2015? #WaughRoomMemo

BBC News Channel

Nicky Morgan is being asked about the closure of the Durham Free School - more on that here. She says the system worked in that case - it was inspected by Ofsted, found wanting and now she has withdrawn funding from it. The "vast, vast majority" of free schools offer a good or outstanding education, she adds.